1

Public Health Response to Algal Blooms

Andrew Reich, Bureau of Environmental Health

In Florida

Gulf of Mexico HAB Bulletin: NOAA 8/13/18 Lake O’, Sentinel 3 Image: NOAA 7/10/18

Karenia brevis Red Tide Cyanobacteria Bloom

2

Press Reports

TC Palm (USA Today) 8/9/18

Karenia brevis Red Tide

3

Ben Depp, National Geographic 8/8/18

Red Tide in Florida?

4

floridapolitics.com WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Red Tide in Florida?

5

“Other” Red Tides

6

California. Italian Alps

Hong Kong Mexico China

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Distribution of HABs in the US

Source: U.S. National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms

7

Freshwater: Cyanobacteria

• Microcystis, Anabaena, Cylindrospermopsis

Oscillatoria, Aphanizomenon

8

News-Press (USA Today) 7/14/18 Cape Coral, Florida

Red Tide vs. BG algae

Compare

• Single Cells

• Aquatic Organisms

• Photosynthetic

• Produce Toxins

• Naturally Occurring

• Do not accumulate in

fish fillets

Contrast

• Marine vs. Freshwater

• One vs. Many Species

• One vs. Many Toxins

• Aerosols vs Not Airborne

• Unknown why bloom vs.

known association with

nutrients

9

Florida Red Tide

Positive Samples, 1954 to Present

10

Approved Shellfish Harvesting Areas

11

Red Tide Events

12

Red Tide Events

13

Red Tide Events

14

Red Tide Events

15

Red Tide Sampling 1954 - 2013

16

NOAA Gulf of Mexico

• Harmful Algal Bloom Bulletin

17

HAB Bulletin

• Potential for Respiratory Irritation

18

PbTx

Bubble-mediated Transport

19

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

20

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

Sarasota County: Inland Transect Sampling Locations

21

Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae

22

Chad Gillis, Fort Myers News-Press

Sept. 14, 2018

Shepard Park on the St. Lucie River near downtown

Stuart June 12, 2018. (Allen Eyestone / The Palm

Beach Post

• Cyanotoxins: microcystins, anatoxins,

cylindrospermosins, etc.

23

• No taste or smell

• Heat, acid stable

• Toxic

Rosen et al, 2017

Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae

Cyanobacteria Satellite Imagery

24

National Aeronautics and Atmospheric Administration, 8/10/18

Lake Okeechobee Waterway

25

Signage

26

Direct Skin Contact

Potential Exposure Pathways

Incidental

Ingestion

Drinking

Water

Inhalation of

Aerosols

Ingestion of

Food

27

Hydrogen Sulfide Testing

28

www.floridahealth.gov/algaeblooms

29

Health reports

Emergency Department Visits

30

Health reports

Florida Poison Control Exposure Calls

31

Health reports

Florida Poison Control Exposure Calls

32

Department’s Web Site

33

• Some blue-green algae produce chemicals called cyanotoxins.

• At high concentrations, cyanotoxins can affect the liver, nervous

system and skin.

• Most problems occur when substantial amounts of water containing

high toxin amounts is swallowed such as when people drink

untreated surface water.

• Besides drinking the affected surface water, it is difficult to get

cyanotoxins into the body as they do not become easily airborne

and do not pass through the skin readily.

• Most people avoid a blue-green algae bloom because they tend to

be icky-looking and smelly.

Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae Blooms and Public Health

Guidance

What are some tips for avoiding cyanobacteria/blue-

green algae?

Avoid swimming in or drinking water containing blue-green algae. It

is best not to come in to contact with water in areas where you see

foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water.

What should I do if I come in contact with

cyanobacteria/blue-green algae?

If you come into contact with an algae bloom, wash with soap and

water. If you experience an illness, please contact your healthcare

provider.

34

Department’s Web Site

35

• People in coastal areas can experience varying degrees of eye,

nose and throat irritation.

• When a person leaves an area with a red tide, symptoms usually go

away.

• People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma

or chronic lung disease are cautioned to avoid areas with active red

tides.

• If you experience irritation, get out and thoroughly wash off with

fresh water. Swimming near dead fish is not recommended.

• Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and using

over-the counter antihistamines may decrease symptoms.

• Red Tide Blooms

Outreach/Education

36

Dodge it

37

Outreach Cards

38

FWC Web Site

39

http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/

FWC Web Site

40

http://myfwc.com/REDTIDESTATUS

FDEP Web Site

https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom

41

FDEP Web Site

https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom

42

Contact Information

andy.reich@flhealth.gov

(813) 307-8015 x 5961

43